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August 30, 2018

US feed associations release joint statement on preliminary trade agreement between US and Mexico

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) released the following joint statement following the announcement of a preliminary trade agreement between the United States and Mexico:

"The announcement of a preliminary trade agreement between the United States and Mexico represents a significant, positive step in modernising and further enhancing North American food and agricultural commerce that benefits the economic growth and consumers in the hemisphere. We hope this agreement contributes to broader discussions on ways to further integrate food and agricultural markets between the United States, Mexico, and Canada to provide for increased investment, food security and consumer preference.

We are particularly pleased by what we understand to be a number of efforts to preserve and enhance current trade terms in North America. These include: the retention of zero tariffs on agricultural products traded between the United States and Mexico; the addition of 21stcentury language to enhance information exchange and cooperation on agricultural biotechnology trade-related matters; an agreement to strengthen disciplines for science-based sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures to facilitate trade; and an agreement that grading standards and services on agricultural products, including grains and oilseeds, will operate independently from domestic registration systems for grain and oilseed varieties. We are hopeful that these benefits will be realised in a final agreement that includes Canada."